Our iOS 11.0.2 update guide goes over the most important things to know, right now, about the new iOS 11 update for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

It includes our impressions of the iOS 11.0.2 update on the iPhone and iPad, a quick look at iOS 11.0.2 problems, the iOS 10 downgrade, and what to expect next from Apple.

iOS 11.0.2 Review

Apple’s maintenance releases sometimes are just a few megabytes, but the iOS 11.0.2 update is much larger than your standard bug fixer.

Again, the iPhone 7 iOS 11.0.2 update is a pretty big download, 278MB if you’re coming from iOS 11.0.1, though it should only take you a minute or two to download over a fast Wi-Fi network.

The installation process will take you a little bit longer. iOS 11.0.2 took about five minutes to install on our iPhone 7 and you can expect the same if you’re currently running iOS 11.0.1.

We’ve only been using the iOS 11.0.2 update for a week now, and the update is, for the most part, holding up fine on the iPhone 7, iPhone 5s, and other iOS 11-powered devices.

We haven’t experienced any weird battery life drain. We didn’t see any on iOS 11.0.1 either. We’ve also managed to connect to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth devices. Cellular data also appears to be normal. We’re running the iPhone 7 on AT&T’s network.

As of right now, our core apps are stable. We haven’t experienced issues with Asana, Slack, Twitter, Spotify, Podcasts, YouTube, Gmail, or the Mail app. That could change down the road.

The iPhone 7 is also fast with iOS 11.0.2 on board. We haven’t noticed any user interface lag, freezes or lockups. Random reboots were an issue for us on iOS 10, but we haven’t noticed any yet.

That said, you’ll want to be careful with iOS 11.0.2. New software, even small updates like iOS 11.0.2, can cause problems. Older devices like the iPhone 5s are particularly susceptible to performance problems.

iOS 11.0.2: What’s New

The iOS 11.0.2 doesn’t bring a long list of bug fixes or security updates with it. Instead, it’s focused on patching up iOS 11 and iOS 11.0.1 problems.

The iOS 11.0.2 change log notes that it comes with a fix for a crackling sound issue on the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus, a fix for a bug that could cause photos to become hidden, and a fix for an issue where attachments in S/MIME encrypted emails would not open.

iOS 10 Downgrade Closed

If you can’t stand iOS 11.0.2’s performance on your device you can always downgrade.

If you’re looking to move off iOS 11.0.2, you can drop back down to iOS 11.0.1 in an effort to improve performance. Apple’s closed off the iOS 11.0. and iOS 10 downgrades which means once you download iOS 11 on your device you’re stuck. There’s no going back to anything older than iOS 11.0.1.

Apple will, at some point, stop signing off on iOS 11.0.1 so those of you interested in downgrading will need to move pretty quickly.

It’s also planning to bring Unicode 10.0 and its new emoji characters to the iOS 11.1 keyboard. The list of new emojis includes a zombie, a genie, an elf, an exploding head, a mage, a coconut, a sandwich, and a vampire. The iOS 11.1 update will also bring back the 3D Touch App Switcher gesture.

Keep an eye out for new iOS 11.1 betas, and iOS 11 updates, as we push into October.

4 Reasons Not to Install iOS 11.4.1 & 8 Reasons You Should

Install iOS 11.4.1 for Better Security

Apple's iOS 11.4.1 update comes with 15 patches for potential security issues. If you value your security, you should think about installing it today.

iOS 11.4.1 also comes with a USB Restricted Mode that disables the Lightning port on your iPhone or iPad if a device hasn't been unlocked or connected to a computer using a passcode within a certain amount of time.

The new setting is located in Settings > Face ID/Touch ID & Passcode. There you’ll see a new toggle for USB Accessories. It's toggled off by default.

This provides an added layer of protection and prevents the use of cracking tools like GrayKey.

If you skipped iOS 11.4, your iOS 11.4.1 update comes with 30+ patches aimed at improving your device's security. This makes it an essential download for most iPhone and iPad users.

If you missed any of Apple's previous iOS updates, your iOS 11.4.1 update comes with a lot more.

If you skipped iOS 11.3, your iOS 11.4.1 update comes with 27 additional patches for potential exploits. Those of you lingering on iOS 11.2.6 would be wise to make the move sooner rather than later.

If you missed iOS 11.3, your iOS 11.4.1 update also includes a new privacy feature. When an Apple feature wants to use your personal information, an icon now appears with a link to access detailed information about how your data will be used and protected.

If you're running iOS 11.2.5 or older, you're currently exposed to an issue that lets people send a specific character that will crash an iOS-powered device and block access to the Messages app. It can also block apps like Facebook Messenger, Gmail, Outlook, and WhatsApp.

The iOS 11.2.6 update's main purpose was to patch up this issue. If you skipped iOS 11.2.6, you'll get these enhancements with iOS 11.4.1.

The vulnerability, discovered by Tian Zhang, allowed for unauthorized control of HomeKit accessories including garage door openers and smart locks.

Apple quickly rolled out a server-side fix, but the company restored full functionality with the release of iOS 11.2.1. If you skipped iOS 11.2.1 and use HomeKit, you should download iOS 11.4.1 right now.

If you skipped iOS 11.2, you'll get a few more patches with your iOS 11.4.1 update. Apple's iOS 11.2 update delivered 11 patches including one for Mail and one for Wi-Fi.

The iOS 11.2 and iOS 11.2.1 updates also patched up a widespread security issue called "Meltdown." Apple says its analysis suggests it "has the most potential to be exploited."

The iOS 11.1 update delivered eight security patches including a fix for a serious Wi-Fi vulnerability called KRACK or Key Reinstallation Attack. KRACK is an exploit that targets the common WPA2 encryption protocol.

If you're just now making to move from iOS 10 (or whatever you're on) to iOS 11, your iOS 11.4.1 update will come with even more security-related features.

In iOS 11 you can't establish trust with a PC using fingerprints alone. You'll also need to put in a full passcode in order to gain that trust.

If you want to protect the data you store on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, you should make your move to the latest version of iOS. This is particularly important for those of you running older versions of iOS.

With the 11.0.2 update Outlook is still dead like it was with the 11.0.1 – no fix whatsoever! There was perhaps a temporary relief with .1, however not worth of try. Outlook is dead in iOS mail app, no matter what some say.

My 6s plus has updated 2 time’s In one or one and a half week’s, It made The passcode display kind of cloudy and The app’s refresh faster Than before which I don’t like Them refreshing at all, This brand need’s new ownership and a overhaul.